Jesstacartel comes through in Golden State Derby

CYPRESS, Calif. - Jesstacartel lived up to his role as the fastest qualifier and 4-5 favorite with a half-length win in Sunday’s $221,300 Golden State Derby at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Cruz Mendez, Jesstacartel ($3.80) broke well, which has not always been the case in past starts, and held off a sustained threat from 35-1 Apollitical Stone for his sixth win in eight starts.

Jesstacartel ran 400 yards in 19.64 seconds. Moonie Blues (5-1) finished third in the field of 10.

Jesstacartel was the fastest qualifier from the time trials on Aug. 5.

Jesstacartel, a gelding by One Sweet Jess, has earned $139,571, all for owner and breeder Lesley Joyner and trainer Mark Skeen. The Golden State Derby was Jesstarcartel’s first major stakes win after two victories in minor stakes last fall.

Joyner is the wife of former baseball star Wally Joyner. The couple attended the race.

Skeen said Jesstacartel will be pointed for the Los Alamitos Super Derby, which has trials on Oct. 20 and a final on Nov. 11.